September 2017 Discipline

These lawyers were the subject of Louisiana Supreme Court disciplinary orders or Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommendations that were made public during the month of September 2017.

Louisiana Supreme Court

Randal A. Toaston. The court permanently disbarred the respondent. The respondent failed to adequately represent his clients, accepted referral fees from clients, and misused client funds. In addition, he failed to cooperate with the ODC in its investigation.

Catherine L. Stagg. The court publicly reprimanded the respondent and placed her on unsupervised probation for two years. In a joint petition for consent discipline, the respondent acknowledged her negligent violations of the Rules concerning scope of representation, communications with a client, and responsibilities regarding nonlawyer assistance.

Alvin A. Johnson. The court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, deferred entirely, with two-years of probation. The respondent violated rules concerning the use of a trust account and the safekeeping of client property.

Elbert L. Guillory. The court publicly reprimanded the respondent for his admitted neglect of a legal matter.

Todd A. Harris. The court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, with all but six months deferred. The court also imposed a term of probation to coincide with the term of a JLAP recovery agreement. Respondent was arrested for alcohol-related misconduct on several occasions.

Kenneth T. Wallace. The court suspended the respondent for thirty months, with all but twelve months deferred. Although no clients were affected, the respondent recorded false billing entries on matters that had been closed.

Lucretia Pecantte. The court suspended the respondent on an interim basis pending further orders.

Jalonda M. Morris. The court suspended the respondent for six-months for neglect of a legal matter and failure to communicate with a client.

Janinne L. Gilbert. The court permanently disbarred the respondent for a long history of misconduct and a prior disbarment.

Lynden Burton. The court suspended the respondent on an in interim basis pending further orders.

Spencer B. Bowman. The court suspended the respondent for one year and one day, deferred entirely, and required the respondent to complete a five-year JLAP recovery agreement.

Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board

Sharon Y. Florence. The Board publicly reprimanded the respondent. The respondent represented a client in a criminal matter while employed as an Assistant Attorney General in Civil Division.

Harold D. Register, Jr. The Board recommended the disbarment of the respondent and that he make restitution. The respondent converted money owed to his client and to third parties. The respondent also filed a defective pleading and failed to pursue a matter with reasonable diligence.

Laetitia Black. The Board recommended the suspension of the respondent for one year and one day, and that the respondent make restitution. The respondent failed to communicate properly with her client, deprived the client of funds, and neglected legal matters.

LADB Hearing Committees

Bruce C. Ashley, II. Hearing Committee #9 recommended the suspension of respondent for eighteen months, fully deferred, and that he sign a five-year contract with JLAP. Additionally, the Hearing Committee recommended that he make restitution. The respondent failed to communicate with clients, failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, failed to return unearned fees, and failed to cooperate with the ODC.

Juan C. Labadie. Hearing Committee #53 recommended the disbarment of the respondent. The respondent made unsupported public accusations against a sitting judge facing reelection, failed to file a client’s lawsuit, and voluntarily dismissed a client’s appeal after missing the filing deadline.

Edward B. Mendy. Hearing Committee #18 recommended the permanent disbarment of the respondent. The respondent collected fees from clients and took no action on their cases. In addition, the respondent had a history of previous sanctions, including a prior disbarment.